Scope of Work – Fund Manager - Moldova Innovation Fund

1. Background

The Moldova Innovation Fund (the Fund) is a national financial support mechanism aimed at strengthening the innovation and technology ecosystem in the Republic of Moldova through targeted support for ICT companies, startups and innovative digital products. The Moldova Innovation Fund will operate over a period of 24 months and will support research, validation, commercialization and scaling of technological startups and spinoffs, while also contributing to the development of a stronger and more connected national innovation ecosystem.

The global objective of the project under which the Fund is created is to support the growth and sustainability of the innovation ecosystem in Moldova by operationalizing financial support for the ICT sector.

Specific objectives include:

• Supporting R&D and validation of digital solutions;
• Strengthening the competitiveness and investment readiness of technology startups developing hardware or software solutions;
• Developing a stronger and more connected national innovation ecosystem.

The role of the Fund Manager will be to set up and operationalize the Fund. The Fund Manager will be responsible for the overall operational management, implementation, coordination, monitoring, control and quality assurance of the Fund’s activity, ensuring compliance with donor requirements, internal governance rules, and applicable legislation.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to ensure the effective, transparent and compliant implementation of the Moldova Innovation Fund through professional management of grant operations, governance mechanisms, competitive calls, evaluation procedures, grant portfolio monitoring and stakeholder coordination.

The Fund Manager will coordinate the dedicated Fund implementation team and ensure effective planning, clear division of responsibilities, day-to-day coordination, quality assurance, and timely delivery of all activities related to the Moldova Innovation Fund. The Fund Manager will also ensure that all Fund activities are implemented efficiently, transparently, and in line with approved operational procedures, donor requirements, and international best practices in grant management.

In addition, she or he will work closely with startup ecosystem enablers to ensure effective awareness, outreach, and engagement with startups across Moldova.

3. Key Responsibilities of the Fund Manager

The Fund Manager will perform, at minimum, the following responsibilities:

3.1 Fund Governance and Institutional Setup

• Set up the Fund and lead its operationalization;
• Lead the preparation, revision and implementation of the Fund Operational Manual, SOPs, templates and internal procedures;
• Ensure establishment and functioning of the Fund governance structure, including:
  • Coordination Committee;
  • Appeals Panel;
  • Independent Expert Pool;
  • Internal grant management processes;
• Ensure segregation of duties, conflict-of-interest compliance and integrity safeguards across all Fund processes;
• Coordinate the development and implementation of the online application, tracking and portfolio monitoring system;
• Ensure secure and compliant grant documentation and record management systems are in place;
• Set up a landing page with the information on the Fund and details on the upcoming calls.

3.2 Preparation and Launch of Competitive Grant Calls

• Coordinate the preparation of grant documentation (the application package) for the potential applicants, including:
  • guidelines;
  • eligibility criteria;
  • exclusion criteria;
  • application forms;
  • evaluation grids;
  • model budgets;
  • grant agreement templates;
  • FAQs and communication materials;
• Coordinate launch and promotion of grant calls;
• Organize outreach and awareness activities targeting startups, founders, accelerators, incubators, universities and innovation ecosystem stakeholders;
• Coordinate applicant information sessions, webinars and clarification support;
• Ensure transparency, accessibility and equal treatment throughout the application process;
• Coordinate activities implemented jointly with other partners;

3.3 Selection, Evaluation and Grant Award

• Oversee application intake and administrative screening processes;
• Ensure eligibility verification, compliance checks, sanctions screening and anti-double-funding controls are conducted;
• Coordinate technical evaluations and expert assessments;
• Organize pitch sessions;
• Ensure confidentiality, impartiality and conflict-of-interest rules are respected throughout the evaluation process;
• Coordinate pre-award risk assessments and budget negotiations;
• Prepare documentation for approval by the Coordination Committee;
• Coordinate grant agreement preparation and signature processes;
• Oversee disbursement procedures for approved grants.

3.4 Grant Management, Monitoring and Quality Assurance

• Supervise implementation of awarded grants and monitor beneficiary performance;
• Ensure proper onboarding of grant beneficiaries;
• Monitor project milestones, deliverables, budgets and timelines;
• Review technical and financial reports submitted by beneficiaries;
• Conduct desk reviews, documentary verification and risk-based monitoring activities;
• Coordinate site visits and additional verification measures where necessary;
• Verify achievement of milestones before approval of subsequent disbursements;
• Manage amendments, extensions and changes to grant agreements;
• Address underperformance, non-compliance and recovery procedures where applicable;
• Ensure proper grant closeout and archival of documentation;
• Support portfolio-level monitoring, lessons learned analysis and continuous improvement of Fund procedures.

3.5 Reporting, Awareness and Fundraising    

• Prepare periodic operational, financial and performance reports for project management and donors;
• Maintain accurate grant portfolio data and monitoring indicators;
• Ensure compliance with donor visibility, reporting and audit requirements;
• Coordinate communication and information exchange between stakeholders involved in Fund implementation;
• Participate in coordination meetings, review sessions and donor consultations as required;
• Prepare inputs for impact reports, success stories, lessons learned, and communication materials related to Fund results;
• Identify potential donors, corporate partners, and co-funding opportunities to supplement the Fund;
• Support the preparation of fundraising materials, concept notes, partnership proposals, and donor presentations;
• Lead fundraising and partnership development initiatives aimed at attracting additional resources and strategic partners for the Fund.

4. Deliverables

The Fund Manager will be responsible for delivering and/or coordinating the following key outputs:

• Fund governance structure operationalized;
• Fund Operational Manual, SOPs, templates, and internal procedures finalized and implemented;
• Grant call documentation and application packages prepared and launched;
• Fund landing page and public information materials developed and maintained;
• Electronic grant management and monitoring system set up and operational;
• Outreach and awareness activities organized in cooperation with startup ecosystem enablers;
• Transparent selection, evaluation, and award processes coordinated and documented;
• Grant agreements, risk assessments, budget negotiations, and disbursement documentation prepared;
• Periodic grant portfolio monitoring reports prepared;
• Beneficiary monitoring, verification, and milestone achievement records maintained;
• Compliance, audit, donor visibility, and risk management documentation ensured;
• Fundraising and partnership development materials prepared;
• Final implementation report and lessons learned report prepared.      

5. Required Qualifications and Experience

The Fund Manager should demonstrate:

• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in managing programs and projects, including coordination of multiple activities, stakeholders, budgets, timelines, and deliverables.
• Experience in grant writing and fundraising;
• Knowledge of compliance, monitoring, evaluation and risk management procedures;
• Relevant experience with innovation or startup ecosystems, digital innovation and technology sectors;
• Experience working with international donors and development partners is considered an advantage;
• Strong analytical and organizational skills, combined with a results-oriented mindset and ability to deliver results within agreed timelines.           
• Excellent communication and stakeholder coordination abilities;
• Fluency in English and Romanian, Russian is considered an advantage.

6. Duration of Assignment

The assignment is expected to cover the full implementation period of the Moldova Innovation Fund, estimated at 24 months.           

7. Working Arrangements

The assignment will be carried out in a hybrid format, combining remote work with regular on-site presence at the MITP office, as required for coordination with the Fund governance structure and implementation team.

8. Reporting Line

The Fund Manager will report to the designated MITP management structure/project coordinator and will work in close coordination with the Coordination Committee, financial and compliance staff, external experts and ecosystem partners involved in Fund implementation.

9. Application

Interested candidates are kindly requested to submit their CV and a short Motivation Letter to the following email addresses: legal@mitp.md

Candidates will be evaluated based on their CV and Motivation Letter. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to an interview.

Application deadline: September 1, 2026